What is your best skiing memory? My friend John used to ditch class in New Jersey and drive to Vermont. Another friend "borrowed" the family car for a stealth visit to Colorado; he had to come clean after his father found an empty Coors can under the seat -- that was when the Silver Bullet was only available out West. As for me, I moved to a resort town three years ago -- the ultimate ski trip -- and that antsy anticipation I used to feel each winter morning still hasn't gone away.

We've designed our annual travel guide to help you capture that sense of adventure. Descriptions of the top 10 destination resorts in North America -- chosen by our editors and contributors -- detail the best areas to ski, play, and stay.

Beyond the overall top 10, we've ranked resorts for specific adventures: steeps, off-piste runs, nightlife, and bumps. And if the confines of a ski area seem too limiting, ski into the wild with one of the backcountry treks outlined here.

In this guide, we've also highlighted spots where skiers and snowboarders can slide together in harmony. Our field trip story features smaller mountains that are worth a side excursion when you're staying at a larger resort nearby. Whatever your choice, you could be headed for your wildest memory yet.

So, without further ado, here are SKIING's top 10's (along with a few top 5's).